$5m visitor centre for Captain Morgan rum

Diageo has opened a US$5m Captain Morgan visitors’ centre as part of of its new distillery in the US Virgin Islands.

Diageo appoints chief procurement officer

Diageo has appointed Thibaut Eissautier to the role of chief procurement officer. 

Johnnie Walker and Jenson Button to make whisky

Diageo is to create a £30,000 whisky inspired by Formula One driver Jenson Button.

China: Diageo gets green light to acquire ShuiJingFang

China: Diageo has been given the go-ahead to make an offer for the remaining shares of ShuiJingFang. The maximum offer stands at GBP630m.

Diageo launches two new Johnnie Walker whiskies

Diageo GTME Americas has launched two new products under the Johnnie Walker brand. Johnnie Walker Platinum Label and Johnnie Walker Gold Reserve will launch in the Americas first, followed by a global roll-out in travel retail in the first half of 2012.

Diageo appoints chief operating officer

Diageo has appointed Ivan Menezes to the newly created role of chief operating officer. Menezes is currently president Diageo North America and chairman of Diageo Asia Pacific and Diageo Latin America & Caribbean.  He will take up the role on March 1, 2012.

Diageo posts 7% organic sales growth

Diageo has delivered 3% volume growth and 7% organic net sales increase for the six months ended December 31, 2011.

New Johnnie Walker whisky to celebrate Queen’s accession

An especially crafted blend of rare malt and grain scotch whiskies, distilled in and maturing since 1952, is being bottled today to celebrate the Queen’s accession to the British throne 60 ago today.

Ethiopia: Diageo completes brewery acquisition

Diageo has completed the acquisition of the Meta Abo Brewery in Ethiopia for US$225 million.

Scotland: Diageo opens £10m cooperage

Diageo has opened a £10 million cooperage in Scotland.

Africa: Diageo opens $55m brewery

Diageo subsidiary East African Breweries Limited (EABL) has opened a $55 million brewery in Moshi, Tanzania. 

Nick Hyde is the new WSTA chairman

The Wine and Spirit Trade Assoication (WSTA) has announced that Nick Hyde, managing director of Diageo Wines Europe, is its new chairman.

Smirnoff goes for Gold

Diageo has launched a cinnamon spiced vodka in travel retail.

DI’s Lucy Britner gets a little bit unladylike. Calm down dear!

I’ve got boobs. Thanks for noticing, drinks industry. I’ve got boobs therefore I need my own special drink. You’re right, drinks-makers, and thanks for the comforting pat on the head. Thank you for recognising that I am always on a diet; and lactose or wheat intolerant, depending on the weather; totally love all things pink – and yes, I am in fact from Venus...

Diageo strengthens ties with Facebook

Diageo has announced plans to step-up its multi-million dollar strategic partnership with social media website Facebook.

Baileys Biscotti ready for UK launch

Diageo has announced the launch of Baileys Biscotti to the UK.

Diageo posts strong results

Diageo has cited ‘emerging markets’ as a reason for its positive results – including 16% growth in scotch whisky in emerging markets. 

Diageo acquires additional Halico stake

Vietnam: Global drinks giant Diageo has closed a Public Offer to acquire an additional 5.07% stake in Hanoi Liquor Joint Stock Company (“Halico”) for approximately £6.4 million. 

Diageo unveils Captain campaign

Diageo has launched a global, multi-media marketing campaign for its Captain Morgan rum-based brand.

Diageo to pay $16m in "illicit payments" case

US: The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has found Diageo to have made “hundreds of illicit payments” to foreign government officials in India, Thailand and South Korea.

Diageo launches £15m Tanqueray campaign

Diageo has launched a £15m global campaign for its Tanqueray gin brand.

Foster's appoints CMO

Foster's Group has announced the appointment of Andy Gibson to the role of chief marketing officer. Andy is expected to start in the role on November 1.

Diageo appoints new Western Europe chief

Diageo has appointed a head of its Western Europe division. From September 1, John Kennedy is to become chief operating officer, Diageo Western Europe. Kennedy is currently managing director, Diageo Ireland.

Gallo buys Diageo winery

E & J Gallo Winery has announced an agreement to purchase Edna Valley Vineyard from Diageo Chateau & Estate Wines Company and Paragon Vineyard Company, who held Edna Valley Vineyard as a joint venture.

Diageo to take controlling stake in Chinese company

Chinese regulators have approved Diageo’s acquisition of an additional 4% stake in Sichuan Chengdu Quanxing Group (Quanxing) from Chengdu Yingsheng Investment Holding Co (Yingsheng).

Scotland: Diageo to invest £20m in Speyside whisky

Scotland: Diageo is to invest £20 million in its Speyside whisky facilities.

Amsterdam: Johnnie Walker takes over Schiphol airport

Diageo has launched a Johnnie Walker campaign at Amsterdam's Schiphol airport. The Step into the Circuit campaign is centred around the brand's Formula 1 sponsorship.

Diageo to take controlling stake in Zacapa rum

Global drinks giant Diageo has reached an agreement with Industrias Licoreras de Guatemala to take a 50% controlling stake in the Guatemalan Zacapa rum brand.

Diageo GTME hails success of Johnnie Walker Double Black

Diageo Global Travel and Middle East (GTME), is claiming the launch of Johnnie Walker Double Black as a travel retail exclusive a year ago, is a “game changer”.

Patrón enlists former Diageo VP

Patrón Spirits has appointed Phil Gervasi, a former VP at Diageo, as executive vice president of sales for North America.

Russia: Diageo to launch Smirnov Titul

Diageo has announced the launch of super premium vodka Smirnov Titul to the Russian market.

Diageo acquires Turkish spirits firm

Diageo has struck an agreement to acquire Turkey's "leading" spirits company, Mey Içki.

Diageo appoints new Guinness boss

Diageo has announced a new global brand director for Guinness. Oliver Loomes has been appointed to the role, following Brian Duffy’s promotion to global category director for beer.

Diageo and Bacardi set out green credentials

Diageo aims to cut its global carbon emissions by 50% by 2015, while Bacardi has published details of its environmental advancements.

India to host Diageo competition

Diageo has announced a host city for the final of its World Class 2011 bartender competition. Delhi, India, will play host to the final of what has been dubbed “the Oscars of the industry”.

Diageo appoints senior execs

Diageo Gobal Travel Middle East (GTME) has announced three ‘key strategic leadership’ appointments to its senior executive management team.

ICB loses Vodkat name in court battle

Diageo Great Britain (Diageo GB) has agreed a final settlement with Intercontinental Brands (ICB) in their dispute over ICB’s Vodkat product. The settlement sees the end of litigation between the two companies that has been ongoing since 2008.

Diageo aims to make Captain Morgan 'global mega brand'

Diageo intends to grow Captain Morgan into a "global mega brand", according to Ed Pilkington, the group’s global category director for vodka, gin and rum.

Diageo opens discussions to acquire half of Zacapa

Diageo has initiated discussions to take over 50% of Guatemalan rum brand Zacapa.

India: Diageo launches 21 yo Johnnie Walker

Diageo has launched a new expression of its Johnnie Walker scotch whisky in Delhi duty free. Johnnie Walker XR 21 year old is now available in T3, Indira Gandhi International Airport.

Diageo releases ‘special’ single malts

Diageo has launched its autumn Special Release Series, a collection of single malt scotch whiskies aimed at the world’s top bars and whisky connoisseurs.

Africa: Diageo completes US$60m brewery acquisition

East African Breweries Limited (EABL), a subsidiary of Diageo, has completed the acquisition of 51% of the issued share capital of Serengeti Breweries Limited (SBL). EABL made the purchase from existing shareholders for a total consideration of approximately US$60.4million.

Diageo launches Swedish vodka

US: Diageo has launched a Swedish vodka in the US market.

Diageo boss to advise UK prime minister

Diageo chief executive Paul Walsh has been selected by the UK prime minister David Cameron to advise on business and economic issues.

Scotland: Diageo opens £40m distillery

Global drinks giant Diageo has opened the doors of its new £40 million distillery in Speyside, Scotland.

Diageo launches Baileys hazelnut

Diageo has launched a new flavour of its cream liqueur brand Baileys.

Diageo appoints new board member

Diageo has announced the appointment of Lord Mervyn Davies of Abersoch to its board, effective September 1 2010. He is to be appointed as a non-executive director and his responsibilities will include membership of the audit, the nomination and the remuneration committees.

Diageo signs Flowers for Arthur's Day

Diageo has signed up rock band Killers frontman Brandon Flowers to help celebrate Guinness’s Arthur’s Day.

Diageo sells its Bordeaux wine business

As part of a previously-announced review of its wine operations, Diageo Chateau & Estate Wines has announced that it has sold its Barton & Guestier Bordeaux business to French Wine concern Castel Freres SAS. The sale includes brands, inventory and land, including Chateau Magnol.  The terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Diageo announces World Class bartender

Diageo has announced the winner of its global bartender competition World Class. Erik Lorincz from the Connaught Bar at The Connaught, London, was crowned champion at a ceremony in Athens, Greece.